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17 or 18 foot boat
#10964329
07/08/15 09:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486
etexbasser
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486 |
I am about to buy a new boat and am curious about what y'all think about size. I am going to get either a ranger or triton aluminum crappie boat and can't decide between the 17 foot or 18 foot. I am not into speed so that does not matter, just looking for some thoughts on the matter of boat size. I will be fishing smaller lakes mostly, Nacogdoches, Naconiche, Murval, etc. That is what I like and I like taking my grandkids with me. So I was just curious. They all have the same beam and bottom, so the length is the only difference.
Thanks for your input.
later...don
Don Chumley If I ain't fishing, I ain't happy. But mostly I'm happy. I love being retired, the check is in the mail. Mt. 6:33
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964412
07/08/15 09:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 126
Kingcarl
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 126 |
Very interested in this as well.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964418
07/08/15 09:52 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,695
Ken Gaby
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,695 |
Definitely an 18 footer for me. Especially if you're taking other people fishing. The extra foot will not hamper your fishing ability on small water but will really help accommodate extra people and take the waves much better. The overall ride is better with the 18.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964420
07/08/15 09:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,709
timbertoes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,709 |
I would also consider Crestliner boats. and 18' for sure.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964474
07/08/15 10:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,336
Jacob
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,336 |
I have a 17ft Triton fiberglass. I fish Lake Nac, Naconiche, and Murvaul. It's perfect for weaving through stump fields. It can get through places that big boys won't. Never felt unsafe in it. Get the biggest beam possible on any aluminum boat. I ride in my buddy's 18ft, and really there's not a noticeable difference to me. Maybe a tiny bit more front deck. I would maybe consider the 18ft just for a little added weight. A little easier to keep still and stable in the water, maybe a little smoother ride, and room for the grandkids.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964512
07/08/15 10:45 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,097
SLABXPRESS
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,097 |
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964544
07/08/15 11:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 478
ZackP
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 478 |
Zack Potter
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964577
07/08/15 11:30 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,266
Ruffneck2000
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,266 |
'A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his, or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including ones life.' (Author unknown)
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964590
07/08/15 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486
etexbasser
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 486 |
Sounds like 18 wins the curiousity contest. I was kinda leaning that way anyway. I have an 18 foot ranger now and really like it, just ready for a new boat and wanted to go back to aluminum. Thanks for the replies.
later...don
Don Chumley If I ain't fishing, I ain't happy. But mostly I'm happy. I love being retired, the check is in the mail. Mt. 6:33
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964595
07/08/15 11:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,353
one-3lb-er
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,353 |
18', put a 80#, 24V TM on it, Sweet
"One-3Lb-er" PB= 3Lb 4 OZ Texarkana, TX Fish in Texas=Wright Patman, Lake of Pines, Caddo: Arkansas=Millwood, Greeson, Dierks, White Oak: Oklahoma=Pine Creek, Hugo.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964606
07/08/15 11:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 704
Tipps
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 704 |
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964892
07/09/15 02:16 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,097
SLABXPRESS
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,097 |
18 will also be wider, which to me is a bigger deal than length. I just went from a 17' Xpress to an 18' Ranger, and there is NO comparison in the amount of room! Worth every penny to go up a notch. 17s are usually bare minimum models.
Last edited by SLABXPRESS; 07/09/15 02:17 AM.
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10964905
07/09/15 02:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,918
Laner
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,918 |
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10965046
07/09/15 03:35 AM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 17
kyle210
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 17 |
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Re: 17 or 18 foot boat
[Re: etexbasser]
#10965205
07/09/15 10:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,156
OkieBob
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,156 |
I don't recall ever hearing anyone say, 'man, I sure wish I'd bought a smaller boat'!!!!!
I'M SOONER BORN, SOONER BRED AND WHEN I DIE I'LL BE SOONER DEAD! Chickasaw proud. CallMatthew@972-754-1698 http://jigumjigs.comMEMBER WALLY MARSHALL'S MR CRAPPIE PROSTAFF MEMBER JIGUM JIGS PROSTAFF
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